Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the Border Guard, Coast Guard and relevant agencies to continually crackdown on smuggling, crime and trade fraud.
He made the request at an online conference held by the Ministry of Defence in Hanoi on March 27 to review the fight against drugs, smuggling and trade fraud on the occasion of the 2015 Lunar New Year.
Deputy PM Phuc, head of the National Steering Committee on the Prevention and Control of Smuggling, Trade Fraud and Fake Commodities (or Steering Committee 389), also suggested agencies and military units review, adjust and complete the legal system related to the prevention of crime, smuggling and trade fraud.
In the past three months, military forces have made arrests in more than 3,900 cases involving 6,780 offenders, down 682 cases and 855 offenders compared to the same period last year. About 500 offenders involved in 455 cases were prosecuted and more than 1,800 offenders in 980 cases paid administrative penalties of over VND10 billion (US$460,000).
In addition, more than 1,100 cases of smuggling, trade fraud and fake commodities were detected, an increase of 804 cases over the same period in 2014, involving various types of commodities such as petrol and oil, coal, timber, alcohol, and tobacco among others.
Deputy PM Phuc emphasised the important role of military forces in the fight against smuggling, trade fraud and crime, contributing to ensuring political and social security, particularly during the Lunar New Year holiday.
"The results of the combat against drug crime, smuggling and trade fraud are not yet adequate as drug trafficking in border areas, particularly at the Vietnam-Laos border has not been contained effectively. Smuggling and illegal transport of alcohol, tobacco and wood in the border provinces of Quang Ninh, Lang Son and Quang Tri and smuggling of petroleum and minerals at sea remain complicated", the Deputy PM noted.
Deputy PM Phuc also asked for strict punishment of officials found to be covering up violations and crimes.
(Source: Dan Tri)